Nehemiah 8

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 all the people gathered as one man in the square in front of the Water Gate, and asked the scribe Ezrato bring the Book of the Law of Moses which Yahweh had prescribed for Israel.	1 all the people gathered as one man in the square in front of the Water Gate, and asked the scribe Ezrato bring the Book of the Law of Moses which Yahweh had prescribed for Israel.
2 Accordingly, on the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the Law before theassembly, consisting of men, women and al those old enough to understand.	2 Accordingly, on the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the Law before theassembly, consisting of men, women and al those old enough to understand.
3 In the square in front of the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and of those oldenough to understand, he read from the book from dawn till noon; al the people listened attentively to the Bookof the Law.	3 In the square in front of the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and of those oldenough to understand, he read from the book from dawn till noon; al the people listened attentively to the Bookof the Law.
4 The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose; beside him stood, on his right,Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; on his left, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum,Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshul am.	4 The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose; beside him stood, on his right,Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; on his left, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum,Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshul am.
5 In full view of al the people -- since he stood higher than them al -- Ezra opened the book; and whenhe opened it, al the people stood up.	5 In full view of al the people -- since he stood higher than them al -- Ezra opened the book; and whenhe opened it, al the people stood up.
6 Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God, and al the people raised their hands and answered, 'Amen!Amen!'; then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before Yahweh.	6 Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God, and al the people raised their hands and answered, 'Amen!Amen!'; then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before Yahweh.
7 And Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabab,Hanan, Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the Law to the people, while the people al kept their places.	7 And Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabab,Hanan, Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the Law to the people, while the people al kept their places.
8 Ezra read from the book of the Law of God, translating and giving the sense; so the reading wasunderstood.	8 Ezra read from the book of the Law of God, translating and giving the sense; so the reading wasunderstood.
9 Then His Excel ency Nehemiah and the priest-scribe Ezra and the Levites who were instructing thepeople said to al the people, 'Today is sacred to Yahweh your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.' For thepeople were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.	9 Then His Excel ency Nehemiah and the priest-scribe Ezra and the Levites who were instructing thepeople said to al the people, 'Today is sacred to Yahweh your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.' For thepeople were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 He then said, 'You may go; eat what is rich, drink what is sweet and send a helping to the man whohas nothing prepared. For today is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of Yahweh is your stronghold.'	10 He then said, 'You may go; eat what is rich, drink what is sweet and send a helping to the man whohas nothing prepared. For today is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of Yahweh is your stronghold.'
11 And the Levites calmed al the people down, saying, 'Keep quiet; this is a sacred day. Do not be sad.'	11 And the Levites calmed al the people down, saying, 'Keep quiet; this is a sacred day. Do not be sad.'
12 Then al the people went off to eat and drink and give helpings away and enjoy themselves to the ful ,since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.	12 Then al the people went off to eat and drink and give helpings away and enjoy themselves to the ful ,since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.
13 On the second day, the heads of families of the whole people, and the priests and Levites, gatheredround the scribe Ezra to study the words of the Law.	13 On the second day, the heads of families of the whole people, and the priests and Levites, gatheredround the scribe Ezra to study the words of the Law.
14 And written in the Law that Yahweh had prescribed through Moses they found that the Israelites wereto live in shelters during the feast of the seventh month.	14 And written in the Law that Yahweh had prescribed through Moses they found that the Israelites wereto live in shelters during the feast of the seventh month.
15 So they issued a proclamation and had it circulated in al their towns and in Jerusalem: 'Go into thehil s and bring branches of olive, pine, myrtle, palm and other leafy trees to make shelters, as it says in the book.'	15 So they issued a proclamation and had it circulated in al their towns and in Jerusalem: 'Go into thehil s and bring branches of olive, pine, myrtle, palm and other leafy trees to make shelters, as it says in the book.'
16 The people went out; they brought branches and made shelters for themselves, each man on his roof,in their courtyards, in the precincts of the Temple of God, in the square of the Water Gate and in the square ofthe Ephraim Gate.	16 The people went out; they brought branches and made shelters for themselves, each man on his roof,in their courtyards, in the precincts of the Temple of God, in the square of the Water Gate and in the square ofthe Ephraim Gate.
17 The whole assembly, al who had returned from the captivity, put up shelters and lived in them; thisthe Israelites had not done from the days of Joshua son of Nun til that day, and there was very greatmerrymaking.	17 The whole assembly, al who had returned from the captivity, put up shelters and lived in them; thisthe Israelites had not done from the days of Joshua son of Nun til that day, and there was very greatmerrymaking.
18 Each day, from the first day to the last one, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. Theycelebrated the feast for seven days; on the eighth day, as prescribed, they held a solemn assembly.	18 Each day, from the first day to the last one, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. Theycelebrated the feast for seven days; on the eighth day, as prescribed, they held a solemn assembly.